1725topp said:

vainandy said:

Did you go to the tour, what did you think?

No. That little heffer only came to Jackson twice in his entire career. Once in 1980 on the Rick James tour and the other time was in 1997 on the "Jam O The Year" tour. I did see it at the movie theater though. Me and about 15 other people in the entire theater and I couldn't even get friends of mine to go with me to see the movie. They had been long time Prince fans and dropped him after "Purple Rain" when he changed his style.

Wow! Are you from Jackson, Mississippi. If so, I never put that together. Now, let me be honest, I probably missed it because I disagree with almost everything you post. Your posts are not rambling or in poor tastes or devoid of reasoning, but I do tend to disagree with most of what you post, mostly because I'm one of those so-called Kool-Aid drinkers who thinks that his songs like "Musicology" and "Colonized Mind" as well as the entire Rainbow Children compare well to his 80s work. For instance, even when you say that SOTT was not like old Prince, I am wildly amazed that you would say that. For me SOTT was like a return to the Funk Master, but a Funk Master who was also growing. Anyway, be that as it may, I'm more amazed that you are from Jackson, Mississippi, and I don't know why I'm so amazed at that. I saw him perform in 1980 and 1997. Did you attend either the 1980 or 1997 show? And, if you attended the 1997 show, did you attend the aftershow at The Dock? Finally, when you saw the SOTT movie, did you see it at one of the regular theatres or did you see it at the dollar movie off J. R. Lynch Street by Jackson State?

Yes, I'm from Jackson, Mississippi.

When Prince came with Rick in 1980, I wanted to go but I was only in the 7th grade. I raised hell wanting to go until my grandmother finally said that she and my uncle would take me. She called the coliseum box office to get tickets and when the person on the phone heard an older white woman on the phone, they told her "Ma'am, do you know what you're getting tickets for? I promise you, you will be one of the very few white people there if not the only ones other than the employees". I was fully aware of that at the time and it didn't bother me in the least considering that 99% of my friends at that time were black but it scared the hell out of her and she offered to take me to The Commodores concert that the employee recommended to her that would be a lot "softer" music with a mixed audience. I hit the ceiling and was furious and had no deisre in going to see The Commodores who I only knew at the time for singing slow stuff like "Three Times A Lady". I had heard other Commodores songs back then but didn't know the name of the group that had made the songs.

As for the "Sign O The Times" movie, I saw it at the Metrocenter where all the Prince movies played except for "Graffiti Bridge". I never knew it finally made it to Cinema West on Lynch Street or the dollar movie at the Ellis Isle Cinema. I've seen other movies at those places though. I remember years after "Purple Rain" was out of style, Cinema West got it and had commercials on WJMI bragging on their sound system that said "You haven't really heard "Purple Rain" until you've heard it here".

Yes, I went to the concert in 1997. I got to the box office when tickets went on sale at about 8 a.m. before it opened at 10 a.m. for fear that I wouldn't get good seats unless I got there early. I made it to fourth row center. As for the aftershow, I heard rumors at the concert that there was going to be one at The Dock but I didn't believe them. I just couldn't see Prince doing an aftershow in Jackson, MS of all places. I figured he'd get the hell out of town directly after the concert. When I saw it on the news the next morning that it actually did happen, I was pissed and could have kicked myself.

I saw him again in 2004 in Bosier City, Louisiana but didn't have close up seats since I had to order them from the internet. I had a good time but if he ever goes on tour again, unless he comes directly to Jackson, I won't be going because gas and a motel room is too expensive.

that extended version of la,la,la,he,he,he is so good that you could hear Prince at the end say "Play that back".............I was just listening to that the other day and the description is on the back of the lp is on point....it is highly explosive with the extended jam session, bass solo, rhythm guitars and synthesizers from dance on and the chants........this 12" single is a gem for that extended version alone because a used record shop gave it to me about 2 years ago.

G3000 said:

chocolate1 said:

I was just becoming a Prince fan, and I remember thinking that I liked the song, but couldn't deal with his "weirdness".

chocolate1 said:

vainandy said:

I thought the same exact thing! I kept staring at the picture and thinking to myself......"His ass has REALLY gone crazy this time!".

I was just becoming a Prince fan, and I remember thinking that I liked the song, but couldn't deal with his "weirdness".

Oh, I always loved his "weirdness" since the first time I saw him on "American Bandstand" back in 1980. The flaunting of his feminine look in people's faces with that "kiss my ass if you don't like it" attitude is what I absolutely loved! Plus, it helped me get through my teenage years myself. If he had been normal, I wouldn't have loved him near as much. But when I saw that picture and wondered if it was him, I wanted to slap the hell out of him.

artist76 said:

1725topp said:

.... Peace and be funky, no matter how old you are.

Whoa - that was a great encapsulation of the greatness of SOTT. I'll have to save that to show my kids when they're old enough.

I loved SOTT already, but I'll have to give it yet another listen, with new ears.

Thanks for making it fresh again.

Thanks for the kind words. I hate that I forgot to mention "Play in the Sunshine." My two step-children are 27 and 28, and I'm amazed how much Prince music they know just from me playing it all the time.

vainandy said:

Yes, I'm from Jackson, Mississippi.

When Prince came with Rick in 1980, I wanted to go but I was only in the 7th grade. I raised hell wanting to go until my grandmother finally said that she and my uncle would take me. She called the coliseum box office to get tickets and when the person on the phone heard an older white woman on the phone, they told her "Ma'am, do you know what you're getting tickets for? I promise you, you will be one of the very few white people there if not the only ones other than the employees". I was fully aware of that at the time and it didn't bother me in the least considering that 99% of my friends at that time were black but it scared the hell out of her and she offered to take me to The Commodores concert that the employee recommended to her that would be a lot "softer" music with a mixed audience. I hit the ceiling and was furious and had no deisre in going to see The Commodores who I only knew at the time for singing slow stuff like "Three Times A Lady". I had heard other Commodores songs back then but didn't know the name of the group that had made the songs.

As for the "Sign O The Times" movie, I saw it at the Metrocenter where all the Prince movies played except for "Graffiti Bridge". I never knew it finally made it to Cinema West on Lynch Street or the dollar movie at the Ellis Isle Cinema. I've seen other movies at those places though. I remember years after "Purple Rain" was out of style, Cinema West got it and had commercials on WJMI bragging on their sound system that said "You haven't really heard "Purple Rain" until you've heard it here".

Yes, I went to the concert in 1997. I got to the box office when tickets went on sale at about 8 a.m. before it opened at 10 a.m. for fear that I wouldn't get good seats unless I got there early. I made it to fourth row center. As for the aftershow, I heard rumors at the concert that there was going to be one at The Dock but I didn't believe them. I just couldn't see Prince doing an aftershow in Jackson, MS of all places. I figured he'd get the hell out of town directly after the concert. When I saw it on the news the next morning that it actually did happen, I was pissed and could have kicked myself.

I saw him again in 2004 in Bosier City, Louisiana but didn't have close up seats since I had to order them from the internet. I had a good time but if he ever goes on tour again, unless he comes directly to Jackson, I won't be going because gas and a motel room is too expensive.

Thanks for replying to my questions, and, yes, you sure are from Jackson. Can you believe that there are kids who don't even know that Metrocenter had a theatre or that most of what's on County Line Road was once on Highway 80 between Terry Road and Robinson Road/HWY 18?

*

Your 1980 story is great. My uncle was a construction worker and could get work at the coliseum for concerts. Of course, one of the perks was seeing the shows. My father took me to the coliseum because he wanted to check out the show, and he was always trying to expose me to artists, especially black artists, that he thought could be special. Thanks to my uncle we were able to get in. Additionally, that Commodores show was great, but my aunt had her leg broken in a stampede when the ladies rushed the stage. She was on crutches for almost a year. Whenever my uncle would ask her was it worth it, she would say, "Hell yes!"

*

While I saw Purple Rain at Metrocenter, I'm almost certain that I saw Under the Cherry Moon at Meadowbrook. What I remember most about that night was that was the first night that the movies had increased an extra fifty cents, and people were passing fifty cents up and down the line to people they didn't know.

*

We were in line at the same time for the 1997 show. A wife female nurse standing in line with us said, “I told my coworkers that I was going to see Prince, but they didn’t seem to care.” Then, without warning, she asked, “Why don’t black people like Prince anymore?” This was not the conversation I wanted to have at that moment, but I did. When we got our tickets, my wife and I were on the second or third row. It was great. I remember Prince threatening to stage dive, then joking, "Y'all think I'm crazy." The aftershow was great. I can't remember the set list. I'm sure I have it saved somewhere. We were packed in there like sardines, and fifteen minutes before the show they cut the air conditioning. Prince was wearing a coat and complained of it being hot, being sarcastic, saying, "Man, it's cold in here Mississippi." After the second song, he stated. "On the one, a'ight good night y'all." When we began to moan, he continued, "Then turn the air on then, two, three," and the jam started again. I was thinking, I love you man, but why would you wear something that hot during August in Mississippi. After the aftershow, we passed two African American females drenched in sweat, their perms gone flat, with a look of sheer joy, and one said, "Girl, I'm broke, but I'm happy." That's still my favorite phrase associated with a Prince show. We spent about thirty minutes in the parking lot talking to Prince’s hair dresser at the time, an African American female, which was cool because my wife was also a cosmetologist at the time. We were right beside the tour bus, and then the horn started blowing. Prince had been on the bus the entire time because when I looked up, thinking it was the bus driver blowing the horn, it was Prince. When more people realized who was blowing the horn, they began to crowd the bus, and Prince disappeared to the back of the bus. We ended our conversation with the hairdresser and headed home, also “broke but happy.”

*

From 1996 to 1999, we all but stalked his concerts from Atlanta to Houston to Birmingham to New Orleans and a few other southern towns, spending New Year's Eve in Houston. Man, that was a great show. He played until after midnight, saying, "For everyone who left, too bad for them," and jammed about thirty minutes or so longer. 2004 was the same. We saw him about five times, IIRC. Haven't seen him since then, and my wife's favorite concerts were when we started going to Minneapolis in 1995 to see him at Paisley Park and other places around Minneapolis. I agree that gas and motel rooms are too expensive, but I won't rule out going to New Orleans, Memphis, Mobile, Birmingham, or the Gulf Coast, which is my wife's home town (Moss Point).

*

Next time, I'll ask about Bebop Records. Again, thanks for responding and take care.

What is your first memory of listening to the album?

Actually not until 1994, when I bought a second hand CD of it (Still have it)

What track blew you away on first listen?

I think it was Starfish and Coffee, I really just obsessed over that song for a year. Incredibly I already new Adore, Sign, U gat the look, ICNTTPOYM and Girlfriend from the Hits, so discovering Starfish and Housequake a real nice surprise

What in your opinion is the quintessential track now?

Adore, there is no other, a superb piece of soul singing and tongue in cheek, total Prince, but I would also say the title track, as it showcases the grown up sound of the album and the fact he had matured as a song writer and musician

What about the whole SOTT imagery, cool or old school?

Old school, but I have never been cool. Like Prince I see myself as a funky non comformist

Did you go to the tour, what did you think?

No too young and living in the wrong place. Wish I had I would have died and gone 2 heaven.

Do you think the turmoil in P’s life spurred a stronger album?

Its hard to say, most of sign dates from before he disbanded the Revolution, and he was still going out with Susannah. But yes he was angry with Warners for turning the 3cd mix down. I think Prince would have made the record with or without dilemmas. He knew he had a great opus in him and this was it.

Did Prince get the single choices right?

Yes for the first, but the second, great song as it was was a bit much for the average music consumer. 3rd and 4th singles were spot on and should have been 2nd and 3rd.

How about them B-sides?

I actually liked them, La La Hee Hee is funny and I think they work well with feel of the album

If you were too young back in the day, do you think it’s as good as they say?

Hell yeah, I loved in 94 and I love it now

Has your opinion of the album changed over the years, does it hold up?

Not really, I still think its the most brilliant thing he has released, just since I got a boot of July 18 1986, I feel that is stronger. Still it has my favourite and 4th Favourite all time songs on it. Adore and 4ever in my life

Sum up the album in one word.

Adore

Now go and stick it on your turntable, pod or player....and shut up already, damn!

What is your first memory of listening to the album?

I was fortunate to be able to go to Paris for a high school trip for in 1987.

I remember seeing all the promo stuff for the album in Paris, the first time I ever saw a CD. I was still remembering Under the Cherry Moon / Parade and after being immersed in Paris culture for a week I was ready for the new album. It was a present from my Mom when I got home from my trip.

My first memories of the album are tied to that time, my senior year in high school. I can still remember sitting in my room at home with the sunshine pouring in through the windows, feeling that Spring breeze.

The album was magical then and still is now.

What track blew you away on first listen?

Dorothy Parker

What in your opinion is the quintessential track now?

Adore

What about the whole SOTT imagery, cool or old school?

I thought it was old school and cool.

Did you go to the tour, what did you think?

No tour. I do no think he toured the US then. I saw the movie my freshman year in college.

Do you think the turmoil in P’s life spurred a stronger album?

Possibly. The conflict with Warner Bros probably helped it the most. The final editing choices is what made the album work. And I have found that to be true with all the alternate versions I have heard to over the years of the other songs, bootlegs, etc. I think the final version of the albums that have been released are the best versions of those albums. I have tried my own compilations and they do not old up as well as the original. I think having WB telling Prince "NO" on occassion helped him work harder and to make better music. The Crystal Ball or Dream Factory versions would not have worked as well as SOTT.

Did Prince get the single choices right?

No. When the album dropped the song that everyone I knew in high scool in Philly was talking about was Housequake.

The singles should have been: Sign O The Times, Housequake, U Got the Look, ICNTTPOYM.

And maybe Adore. Adore was its own hit in 1987 from word of mouth, an instant classic.

How about them B-sides?

La, la, la, He, he, hee and Shockadelica were better than most of the album. I do admit I was disappointed with the b-side of U Got the Look and Place of Your Man, I would have liked more unreleased tracks than the Housequake and Hot Thing songs,, but I understand that WB probably wanted to push the album more.

If you were too young back in the day, do you think it’s as good as they say?

N/A. I was there since 1983. It was great time to be alive.

Has your opinion of the album changed over the years, does it hold up?

Yes it holds up. I still go back to it every so often and play it as a whole album. I will even dig out the old scratched up vinyls with my sleeves all taped together .

Sum up the album in one word.

Magical

What is your first memory of listening to the album?

WoW ... My first time hearing that album, I can't even remember, it had to be back in 96-97 when I first heard the full album.

What track blew you away on first listen?

'Housequake' ... I remember dancing to that song in high school in a resturant where kids used to hang out called 'The Cavalier' playing on a juke-box.

What in your opinion is the quintessential track now?

'If I was your girlfriend' is my quintessential track.

What about the whole SOTT imagery, cool or old school?

Seeing the movie is what was cool. Seeing Prince do that James Brown split during 'Housequake' and the horn section killing it on the 'hits' P had them do.

Did you go to the tour, what did you think?

I got into Prince in 1996 so I missed it ( movie ). Was there a tour in the states? I don't think there was.

Do you think the turmoil in P’s life spurred a stronger album?

Yes, defiantly was, the break-up with Susannah and him really pushed it into high gear.

Did Prince get the single choices right?

I think the right singles came out. It prompted you to go out and buy the album. Though the singles were a way for WB to make more $ off the album but, as a collector of P's music and memorabilia they are a 'must have'.

If you were too young back in the day, do you think it’s as good as they say?

I was a teen at the time this album dropped and I was into Hip Hop so I wasn't interested in the album at the time. Years later I kicked myself on the genius of this album.

Has your opinion of the album changed over the years, does it hold up?

Actually, I thought that 'Dream Factory' should have been the album released at the time and I highly prefer that over S.O.T.T.

Sum up the album in one word.

Unique

No big suprise since critics loved a lot of Prince's early music. After that, not so much. It would've been nice if some of his more recent albums got more attention, but that's mostly wishful thinking, people like what they like.

Life-changing album. I was 14 when it came out. It came out around Easter time. I was going through a lot of bad things then, I was in Jr high. Were it not for this album, I probably would've killed myself. True story.

PoorLonelyComputer said:

Life-changing album. I was 14 when it came out. It came out around Easter time. I was going through a lot of bad things then, I was in Jr high. Were it not for this album, I probably would've killed myself. True story.

Wow! We're all glad for the album then, and glad to have you with us.

Testament to the power of music.

Wow. The older stuff is the polar opposite to the new then. The most recent albums have had people wanting to take their own lives.

Its amazing how time has passed. I can remember when we were all waxing rhapsodic about the 25th anniversary of Dirty Mind. Now Sign, anyway a good thread I just absolutely love that album, it truly is his best work

SquirrelMeat said:

Can you believe it?

The opus double album Sign O the Times is 25 this month, being originally released on 31st March 1987.

As most polls suggest, this album is arguably Prince’s best.

Let’s have some fun remembering it!

What is your first memory of listening to the album?

i heard about 7 tracks from the album previewed on radio 1 on the saturday afternoon before the release on the monday...i thought it was an amazing album...an incredible display of musical brilliance from prince..fully justifying my belief that he was a genius...its still the best album i have ever heard...

What track blew you away on first listen?

a number of tracks but i think if i was your girlfriend was just sublime..

What in your opinion is the quintessential track now?

the title track

What about the whole SOTT imagery, cool or old school?

loved it...

Did you go to the tour, what did you think?

bought tickets for wembley but we know what happened..couldnt afford to go abroad at 19..

Do you think the turmoil in P’s life spurred a stronger album?

i think that 1986 was a golden period anyway..he was still growing as an artist at that point

Did Prince get the single choices right?

well '' if i was your girlfriend '' brilliant as it is..wasnt really a single...although it did still make the top 20 in the uk....u got the look should have been the second single after the title track..then icnttpoym

How about them B-sides?

shockadelica was amazing ...

If you were too young back in the day, do you think it’s as good as they say?

n/a

Has your opinion of the album changed over the years, does it hold up?

yes...still amazing...needs a remastering job in a 3cd deluxe re issue..

Sum up the album in one word.

genius..

Now go and stick it on your turntable, pod or player....and shut up already, damn!

1725topp said:

Thanks for replying to my questions, and, yes, you sure are from Jackson. Can you believe that there are kids who don't even know that Metrocenter had a theatre or that most of what's on County Line Road was once on Highway 80 between Terry Road and Robinson Road/HWY 18?

Hell, I can remember even before that when the Jackson Mall had a theater and as for County Line Road, I remember before Northpall Mall even existed. The only thing on County Line Road at the time was fields and a few old shacks. The only store out there was a convenience store called Ecol which is still there but has been rebuilt and has a different name now.

I used to be out that way every Saturday night at Funtime Skateland in Ridgeland. "Super Soul Saturday Skate Night" with DJ Doug throwin' down. I remember he used to mix the 12 Inch of "Let's Work" and bring in the sirens of the intro of the 12 Inch version of The Gap Band's "You Dropped A Bomb On Me" during the "Work it...work it" part. That's going back a lot of years.

While I saw Purple Rain at Metrocenter, I'm almost certain that I saw Under the Cherry Moon at Meadowbrook. What I remember most about that night was that was the first night that the movies had increased an extra fifty cents, and people were passing fifty cents up and down the line to people they didn't know.

"Under The Cherry Moon" was at Metrocenter also. I remember because I always hated the seats at the Metrocenter. Those hard seats with hardly any cushioning that would have your ass hurting before the movie was over. Meadowbrook had those nice cushiony seats that rocked. It was almost like sitting in a Lazy Boy recliner.

I think you're thinking of "Grafittii Bridge" which was at Meadowbrook. I remember it well. I was in the lobby and ran into a girl that I had gone to school with who used to be a huge Prince fan but she had long dropped him by then. She was there to see another movie and I talked her and her husband into going to see "Grafitti Bridge" with me. I kept telling her that true enough, Prince was "out there" and wasn't the same person that he used to be before "Purple Rain" but he was still good and convinced the two of them to join me. BIG mistake. That movie was so embarassing, I wanted to slump down in my seat and hide. She talked about me like a dog all through the movie and in the lobby afterwards.

We were in line at the same time for the 1997 show. A wife female nurse standing in line with us said, “I told my coworkers that I was going to see Prince, but they didn’t seem to care.” Then, without warning, she asked, “Why don’t black people like Prince anymore?” This was not the conversation I wanted to have at that moment, but I did. When we got our tickets, my wife and I were on the second or third row. It was great. I remember Prince threatening to stage dive, then joking, "Y'all think I'm crazy." The aftershow was great. I can't remember the set list. I'm sure I have it saved somewhere. We were packed in there like sardines, and fifteen minutes before the show they cut the air conditioning. Prince was wearing a coat and complained of it being hot, being sarcastic, saying, "Man, it's cold in here Mississippi." After the second song, he stated. "On the one, a'ight good night y'all." When we began to moan, he continued, "Then turn the air on then, two, three," and the jam started again. I was thinking, I love you man, but why would you wear something that hot during August in Mississippi. After the aftershow, we passed two African American females drenched in sweat, their perms gone flat, with a look of sheer joy, and one said, "Girl, I'm broke, but I'm happy." That's still my favorite phrase associated with a Prince show. We spent about thirty minutes in the parking lot talking to Prince’s hair dresser at the time, an African American female, which was cool because my wife was also a cosmetologist at the time. We were right beside the tour bus, and then the horn started blowing. Prince had been on the bus the entire time because when I looked up, thinking it was the bus driver blowing the horn, it was Prince. When more people realized who was blowing the horn, they began to crowd the bus, and Prince disappeared to the back of the bus. We ended our conversation with the hairdresser and headed home, also “broke but happy.”

From 1996 to 1999, we all but stalked his concerts from Atlanta to Houston to Birmingham to New Orleans and a few other southern towns, spending New Year's Eve in Houston. Man, that was a great show. He played until after midnight, saying, "For everyone who left, too bad for them," and jammed about thirty minutes or so longer. 2004 was the same. We saw him about five times, IIRC. Haven't seen him since then, and my wife's favorite concerts were when we started going to Minneapolis in 1995 to see him at Paisley Park and other places around Minneapolis. I agree that gas and motel rooms are too expensive, but I won't rule out going to New Orleans, Memphis, Mobile, Birmingham, or the Gulf Coast, which is my wife's home town (Moss Point).

The 1997 show was about half and half black and white. I remember Prince commenting about it on the stage during the show. But wait a minute, you were in line that morning before the box office opened? There were only a few of us out there at first at then the line built up later on. You also mentioned where your seat was and also your wife a few times. I think I know who you are. Are you a black guy that had a perm back back then? If so, you have an absolutely beautiful wife and I remember the two of you well. If you're the same person, the two of us talked while in line to buy tickets and also saw each other at the show and you were in the row in front of me. I was there with a gay white friend of mine and the two of us had snuck in liquor, bought a Coke, mixed the liquor and put the lid and straw on it and got absolutely fucked up before the show even started (remember it started late). I had an absolute ball that night. Not only was it the first time seeing Prince live but also being that close to Prince in person was a high I will never forget. I mean, I could actually see every detail of him up close and personal and I could actually see that was indeed him and not someone else. It wasn't like watching him on TV. I was drunk as a skunk that night, lost my cool, and actually "fammed" out.

If you're the same person, I also hung out with you and your wife at The Time concert that following November.

Next time, I'll ask about Bebop Records. Again, thanks for responding and take care.

I bought so much music from Bebop, I probably paid for the owner's house.

.

.

.

[Edited 3/14/12 8:56am]

did anyone see this online....I posted it about two years ago.... Signs o the time is #2 on the 125 Best Albums of the Past 25 Years for Spin.

http://www.spin.com/#arti...ars?page=4

What is your first memory of listening to the album?

Is Prince more than one person? Sometimes it seems as if his register is very high, and than it gets really low? Hahaha..Ultimately I just couldn't understand how all of these songs worked so perfectly together.

What track blew you away on first listen?

If I Was Your Girlfriend Or The Ballad Of Dorthy Parker. I think I'll have to go with 'TBODP'

It was just immensely satisfying. It defined how I looked at music. The way he produced it, and the way the bass and lin drum talked at the same time. It just blew me away, the lyrics much more fainted my ears. It's such a strong song. Now typing about this, I think when I first heard, 'Adore' I was even more struck at his ability to make a 'Soul-Ballad'

What in your opinion is the quintessential track now?

Strange Relationship Perhaps? The Ballad Of Dorthy Parker...OR The Tittle Track alone. I think I'll have to go with "SOTT" such an inspiration and soulful song. I think it's his greatest political statements, and it worked so well. So I would have to go with that one!

What about the whole SOTT imagery, cool or old school?

SO COOL! I love the use of loose clothing. It was such a free time. The turtle necks, peach and black contrast. So COOL! Simple and yet defined with these weird fluffs on his pants sometimes. It was just a unique image. ALSO, when was the last time, we saw Prince in Denim? I know..THIS TIME. Haha, after this he never seemed to wear denim. I love the heart bracelets, and cross's. It was COOL!

Did you go to the tour, what did you think?

I WISH! I was not even a thought around this time. LOL. But my Aunt told me she went, and how it remains one of her best moments in history!

Do you think the turmoil in P’s life spurred a stronger album?

YES! I think like most, when Prince is pissed off, he really channels it through his music remarkably. The break up of the revolution, probably seemed like the end of the Road. It 'Snowed In April' but it sure as hell made a powerful snowman in Sign O the Times. It didn't melt since...lol

Did Prince get the single choices right?

Often times, he just fails at delivering good singles. This time I think he did well, with the exception of 'IIWYG' it was too strong for a single. 'Everything else worked IMO.

How about them B-sides?

Shockadelica is one of the best songs he released! Along with La, La, La, He, Hee! That just is out of this world! SO damn good! Why didn't he put it on the album.

If you were too young back in the day, do you think it’s as good as they say?

I AM sure it would be!

Has your opinion of the album changed over the years, does it hold up?

I remaster would HELP! It's in my top 7 for sure!!! It's a masterpiece, nothing on it I would change.

Sum up the album in one word.

Timeless!

blackbob said:

What is your first memory of listening to the album?

i heard about 7 tracks from the album previewed on radio 1 on the saturday afternoon before the release on the monday...i thought it was an amazing album...an incredible display of musical brilliance from prince..fully justifying my belief that he was a genius...its still the best album i have ever heard...

I remember now! I recording the tracks off radio 1. SOTT, Housequake, Starfish and Coffee, I could never take the place of your man.

SquirrelMeat said:

blackbob said:

I remember now! I recording the tracks off radio 1. SOTT, Housequake, Starfish and Coffee, I could never take the place of your man.

the old fashioned way of music bootlegging and piracy. kids today don't know they are born

SquirrelMeat said:

blackbob said:

I remember now! I recording the tracks off radio 1. SOTT, Housequake, Starfish and Coffee, I could never take the place of your man.

trying to remember what was played on radio 1...play in the sunshine...housequake...starfish and coffee...forever in my life....icnttpoym...the cross...think there was another one....taped all the songs and played them all night in my mates....he was soo far ahead of everyone else at that point...the good old days...

What is your first memory of listening to the album?

I got it 3 day's after it was released....A saturday to be exact. My spring break had just started! I was engulfed in the album for the next week..every day!

What track blew you away on first listen?

Strange Relationship....1yr and a half earlier P had just done the interview in RS and the song was mentioned.

What in your opinion is the quintessential track now?

It's gonna be a beautiful night

What about the whole SOTT imagery, cool or old school?

Imagery was cool. Peach and Black together. Can't help but think of "Sign" everytime I see it. Except that outfit he wore performing "Hot Thing" in the movie...flag on the play with that one.

Did you go to the tour, what did you think?

That summer I read a review in RS of the show in Europe. I remember thinking I can't wait for this to hit the states! No such luck... had to wait for the movie. Which I enjoyed. Wish he would've done either a "full tour show version(old tunes included) or a done more album cuts live."

Do you think the turmoil in P’s life spurred a stronger album?

I guess. Hard to say. We weren't privy to that info til yrs later. We'll have to wait til he does a autobio to get a solid answer on this one.

Did Prince get the single choices right?

Yes and No....No vid for Sign ...No vid for "If I was... hurt. The "U got the look vid" saved the album in some ways. The other singles had vids which were performances from the movie which helped some.

How about them B-sides?

I enjoyed them...not as much has the previous albums b-sides-this was the weaker bunch- however this was a double album so had this been a single album who knows. I thought the "Mo' Quake" was interesting. Especially since he recorded a full version first THEN did a edit of it.

If you were too young back in the day, do you think it’s as good as they say?

I bought it when I was 15....if my ears weren't mature....they were after listening to it!

Has your opinion of the album changed over the years, does it hold up?

I appreciate it more....every artist doesn't have the ability to pull of a "Sign" moment. What's even more amazing is that the version we got wasn't the version P wanted to give us. Will always have to wonder "What if we had gotten the version P had invisioned for us to have?" with this one! I think time has allowed people to realize how fantastic of an album this is. Not many albums from 25yrs ago are being regarded as "MASTERPIECES" or "CLASSICS" or the work of "GENIUS"

Sum up the album in one word.

EARGASM!

What is your first memory of listening to the album?

First, some background: Dutch public broadcasting is a bit diffcult to explain: there are government-owned radio- and tv-stations, but the content on those is provided by broadcasters that are usually tied to specific groups in society, e.g. leftwing vs rightwing, different religions,... Other broadcasters aren't tied to those kind of organisations, but for instance are the result of former pirate broadcasters wanting to turn legit. Simply put: if you were an organisation and you applied to get a certain amount of broadcast time on any of these public channels and you had sufficient paying members, you'd be able to.

I recall that the album was due to be premiered on Dutch public radio Radio 3 several days beforehand (maybe even a week), but I'm not sure who was supposed to do so. But it wasn't the TROS, who was broadcasting on Thursdays. Yet they did have the premiere.

What had happened? Back in those days it occasionally occurred that a CD ended up in the wrong jewel case. And apparently this mistake had occurred with Sign O' The Times. The recipient had contacted TROS, because back in those days TROS had a show on Thrusday evening on Radio 3 where they only played music from CD (yes kids, I'm not making this up: there was a radio show that was dedicated to playing music from CD -- remember, this is in 1987). They had reported on those kinds of mistakes in the past, hence the reason they'd been contacted. But this did mean they could play brand-spanking new Prince music on the radio, days before their competitors were supposed to premiere this new album.

One year later VARA would dedicate a whole day on Radio 3 to Prince on the eve of his Dutch Lovesexy concerts, which meant they played at least one Prince track each hour; they also had commemorative t-shirts printed (mine's somewhere in a box). They also played excerpts from the concert recordings of the SOTT movie and spoke to several people who helped record the Dutch gigs in 1987. And late in the evening they played just about every B-Side during one hour.

Also in 1988 (or 1989?) Veronica radio show Countdown Café played the entire Black Album in one of their broadcasts.

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[Edited 3/16/12 11:28am]

SquirrelMeat said:

Wow. The older stuff is the polar opposite to the new then. The most recent albums have had people wanting to take their own lives.

SquirrelMeat said:

Can you believe it?

The opus double album Sign O the Times is 25 this month, being originally released on 31st March 1987.

As most polls suggest, this album is arguably Prince’s best.

Let’s have some fun remembering it!

What is your first memory of listening to the album?

I won the vinyl in a radio station contest. Talk about the happiest 9 year old around!!

What track blew you away on first listen?

Forever in my Life, hands DOWN!

What in your opinion is the quintessential track now?

Adore

What about the whole SOTT imagery, cool or old school?

Very cool. It was like a natural progression of the Purple Rain look....no longer prissy...just...COOL.

Did you go to the tour, what did you think?

Wished...MAN did I wish I could've gone.

Do you think the turmoil in P’s life spurred a stronger album?

Knowing the history now as an adult, I can easliy see how the turmoil lit a fire under his ass to show everybody around that he could STILL do it on his own.

Did Prince get the single choices right?

Unfortunately, no. I LOVE "If I was Your Girlfriend" but I think "Adore" in it's place, would have grabbed the black audience, which he was DEFINITELY going for on that single choice.

How about them B-sides?

I have no complaints.

If you were too young back in the day, do you think it’s as good as they say?

I wasn't, so I can't truthfully answer this one.

Has your opinion of the album changed over the years, does it hold up?

Honestly, my love of this album has only GROWN over the years. The music, subject matter, and overall cohesiveness only seem to grow on me as I age.

Sum up the album in one word.

Triumphant!

Now go and stick it on your turntable, pod or player....and shut up already, damn!

I remember going to Wherehouse records on the 30th just prior to their midnight closing time and talking the manager into selling me the cd right then and not making me wait until the next morning!!

Sweet memories!!

BartVanHemelen said:

Also in 1988 (or 1989?) Veronica radio show Countdown Café played the entire Black Album in one of their broadcasts.

.

Something like that happened with a Uk DJ too. I think WEA tried to take legal action

OK, I haven't read through all the other responses yet but I'll give this a shot:

What is your first memory of listening to the album?

I remember being sort of confused by all the different styles. I didn't understand why Prince had dumped the Revolution, and there was so much to take in. Some of the tracks took several listens before I "got" them, like "Play In The Sunshine" and "If I Was Your Girlfriend." I was only 12 years old when it came out, and my musical experience was pretty limited.

What track blew you away on first listen?

I think "Housequake" was the one that sounded the weirdest on first listen. It just wasn't like anything I had heard before. I might have heard some rap music (maybe Run-D.M.C.) at that point but "Housequake" was from another world.

What in your opinion is the quintessential track now?

I don't know if I could call any track "quintessential" because the styles are so varied. I would say the most important song on the album is "Adore," but my favorite is "The Ballad of Dorothy Parker."

What about the whole SOTT imagery, cool or old school?

I think it's absolutely timeless. The cover is as iconic as Sgt. Pepper's to me.

Did you go to the tour, what did you think?

No, he didn't come anywhere near me. My first (and so far only) Prince concert was during the Lovesexy tour.

Do you think the turmoil in P’s life spurred a stronger album?

Yes and no. His love life inspired a lot of great lyrics but I think the album would have been stronger if Wendy and Lisa had continued to collaborate with him. I like the alternate version of "Strange Relationship," for example.

Did Prince get the single choices right?

"If I Was Your Girlfriend" was an odd choice for a single, but the others were good choices, I think.

How about them B-sides?

He could have done better.

If you were too young back in the day, do you think it’s as good as they say?

Not applicable.

Has your opinion of the album changed over the years, does it hold up?

I would say that it took me a year or so to really get used to the album, but ever since then it's been one of my favorites.

Sum up the album in one word.

Damn!

What is your first memory of listening to the album?

I'll never forget who/what/where/when I was when I first heard the album. I was at my buddy's house, and his older brother was playing 'Adore' in his room, and immediately I left my buddy and went into his borther's room and was like, "Who is that?!!!" Literally, I went directly to Tower Records when I left and bought Sign of the Times.

What track blew you away on first listen?

So I get home, press play, and sat there in disbelief at what I was hearing. Still to this day, "Adore" blows me away.

What in your opinion is the quintessential track now?

'If I Was Your Girlfriend'

What about the whole SOTT imagery, cool or old school?

Colorful! Positive! Uplifting! Sexy!

Did you go to the tour, what did you think?

Real! Real music by real musicians! Bliss, Leeds, Levi, Miko, Brooks, Cat, Wally, Bonnie, Dr. Fink, Sheila E. --> Arguably his most innovative band. For me I felt it marked an exponential synthesis of James Brown, Jimi Hendricks and Sly and the Family Stone--sexier dancing, more soulful guitar, more captivating stage presence.

Do you think the turmoil in P’s life spurred a stronger album?

Doesn't he always have turmoil?

Did Prince get the single choices right?

Yes, but they were out of order. Imo, 1st: U Got The Look, 2nd: Hot Thing 3rd: Sign of the Times 4th: If I was Your Girlfriend 5th: Housequake

How about them B-sides?

Off da hook: Shockadelika! The funky monkey: La La La, He, He, He

If you were too young back in the day, do you think it’s as good as they say?

n/a

Has your opinion of the album changed over the years, does it hold up?

Still my #1 album of all time

Sum up the album in one word.

Illuminating!

man you guys gonna make me cry

What is your first memory of listening to the album?

Remember driving 20 miles to a small shop that was selling it early. Rushed home to put it on and record it on cassette for future listens! Memorized by the album cover in the car back home

What track blew you away on first listen?

gosh most of them but easily Dorothy Parker freaked me out because I swore I heard in a dream BEFORE the album came out

What in your opinion is the quintessential track now?

Dorothy parker

What about the whole SOTT imagery, cool or old school?

uber cool and a damn shame he gave up on so quickly....Lenny made a career off that vibe

Did you go to the tour, what did you think?

ugh...American we were denied!

Do you think the turmoil in P’s life spurred a stronger album?

No....for as good as it SOTT is...I still could have used a bit of a touch from the girls...

Did Prince get the single choices right?

No way man....total fail

How about them B-sides?

la la la he he he extended mix still blows me away

If you were too young back in the day, do you think it’s as good as they say?

na

Has your opinion of the album changed over the years, does it hold up?

Great but dont think its quite his best (could have been)....never really liked songs liked it, slow love or U got the look. at the time they seemed like filler...cant believ U got the look was a hit

Sum up the album in one word.

goodtimes....